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The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.


Description/Taste
Mexican papaya turn greenish-yellow with shades of orange when ripe and contain numerous round, shiny, inedible black seeds in its center cavity. Somewhat similar to a melon, its delectable flesh is firm and juicy. The flavor, however, is not quite as sweet as the common papaya.
Seasons/Availability
Mexican papaya are available year-round.
Current Facts
Mexican papaya is one of the fastest growing tropical fruits available today. Ranging in size, some can measure twenty inches long and weigh in at fifteen pounds. The average papaya found in markets weighs one-and-one-fourth to two pounds and is six to twelve inches long. The Mexican variety is somewhat larger.
Nutritional Value
Papaya places first among fruits in the content of vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, niacin, calcium, folate, riboflavin, thiamine, potassium and fiber. Papaya contains a beneficial enzyme, papain, that aids digestion. Following papaya in nutritional value, in order, is cantaloupe, strawberry, orange, tangerine, kiwi, mango, apricot, persimmom and watermelon. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, were effective in lowering blood pressure.
Applications
Lacking acidity, enhance flavor with a sprinkle of lemon or lime juice. Cut in half; scoop out seeds; top with a scoop of sour cream, frozen or chilled yogurt or ice cream; sprinkle with brown sugar or granola. Slice peeled papaya into rings for an attractive edible garnish; serve with fish and meats. Dress up green salads. Make yummy marinades, ice cream, sauces, smoothies and bread. Add green papaya to stews and soups. Bake, boil or stuff; serve as a vegetable. Add to fruit salads. Puree to make delicious iced beverages. Blend with peanut butter for a tasty spread. Spicy foods love its company. Containing papain, a meat tenderizer, puree fruit to make a natural tenderizing addition to meat marinades. Papaya leaves wrapped around meat also serve as a tenderizer. To soften and tenderize thick meats such as roast beef or t-bones, spread mashed papaya over the meat. Refrigerate about two hours before cooking. To ripen, keep green fruit at room temperature three to five days. To store, refrigerate ripe papaya. Use within a day or two for best flavor. Firm peeled papaya can be frozen in chunks. Frozen fruit is best used in soups, marinades, salad dressings, entrée or dessert sauces and for baking. Uncooked papaya does not congeal in commercial gelatin with an animal protein base. It may be used with agar, a seaweed base. When making papaya chutney or jam, use a commercial pectin or other fruits that have an abundance of pectin.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The Hawaiian Islands are also major producers of papaya and at one time they used this fruit to feed chickens and pigs! Today, it is a favorite on many menus and more mainland consumers are discovering this island delicacy. Papaya is not to be confused with "pawpaw", the American custard apple. Australians use "pawpaw" to mean papaya.
Geography/History
A New World fruit, papaya is native to South and Central America. Its name is derived from the Spanish adaptation of the word "ababai" from pre-Columbian communities in the Caribbean. Dating back to prehistoric times, dozens of varieties of papaya exist today. Mexican papaya grows in Mexico and is imported into the United States.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Pacific Beach Ale House | San Diego CA | 858-581-2337 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Chosen Foods | San Diego CA | 8776742244 |
Gamma Phi Beta | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9576 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
The LOT (La Jolla) | La Jolla CA | 619-987-9537 |
Surf Side Cuisine (Deli) | San Diego CA | 619-507-0891 |
Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Gaia Gelato | Carlsbad CA | 760-297-0554 |
Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
Crab Catcher La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-454-9587 |
Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-238-9880 |
Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2401 |
Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill | San Diego CA | 619-497-0914 |
Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
Spoutable | San Diego CA | 619-743-7491 |
Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
Bobs Specialty Meats | Escondido CA | 760-839-6850 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Project Wildlife | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-222-8787 |
The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 619-450-7978 |
Volcano Rabbit | San Diego CA | 619-232-8226 |
California Center for the Arts | Escondido CA | 760-839-4107 |
Gaslamp Union Kitchen & Tap | San Diego CA | 619-795-9463 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
The Crack Shack Pasadena | Pasadena CA | 619-520-4793 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
Fireside by The Patio | San Diego CA | 858-270-9900 |
Fonda Don Diego | Coronado CA | 619-537-0054 |
Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
Pendry SD (Pendry Banquets) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 858-530-1885 |
The Crack Shack LA | Los Angeles CA | 619-520-4793 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
Surf Side Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-507-0891 |
Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
Seasons of La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-456-8619 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 858-273-8440 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Island Palms Blue Wave Hotel & Marina | San Diego CA | 619-222-0561 |
Doubletree Hotel Circle | San Diego CA | 619-881-6900 |
Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
Chateau Lake San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-471-0083 |
Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
You & Yours Distilling Co. | San Diego CA | 214-693-6619 |
Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Mexican Papaya. One

Local Haven |
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Papaya Curd with Lemon |
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Mexican Papaya using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
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